The AP Poll's perceived neglect of the Big 12 is a common criticism, often stemming from the conference's smaller number of ranked teams compared to others like the SEC and Big Ten. This is particularly noticeable in preseason polls where voters often rely on historical reputation and "brand recognition" rather than recent on-field success or returning talent. 🏈

The preseason AP Poll frequently favors teams from historically dominant conferences, even if a Big 12 team had a better record or returning talent from the previous season. Voters may overlook the tangible success of certain Big 12 programs in favor of "helmet schools" with a bigger national profile. This can lead to situations where a Big 12 team that has a strong season and is a contender for the conference title is still left out of the initial rankings. The Big 12 itself has even taken a step to combat this by not conducting its own preseason media poll, citing that these polls can create a negative narrative that hurts the league.

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